Ebola Virus Disease

(Image by See Source [CC-BY-2.5 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.5)], via Wikimedia Commons)

Ebola Virus Disease

Since the past two decades, the world has been experiencing the outbreaks of viral diseases such as Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, Bird flu and Swine flu. Now, we are experiencing the outbreak of Ebola virus.

The Ebola virus disease or Ebola, is a disease caused by Ebola virus in humans and other primates. It was firstly identified in 1976 in two different outbreaks- one in Sudan and the other in Zaire.The main factors contributing for an outbreak is, human activities like changes in land use, urbanization, high density population in cities, climate change and under utilization of health care systems.

The incubation period is 2-20 days.The Ebola infection shows a sudden onset of the disease resulting fever, chills and malaise. Later it progresses to vomiting, diarrhea and hemorrhagic conditions at its peak.Finally, it results in uncontrolled bleeding, shock, convulsions and severe metabolic disorders. The death of the victim usually occurs within about two weeks.

The African Fruit Bat is considered to be the natural host for the Ebola viruses as well as the major sources of human infection.It can be spread through direct contact with body fluids of an infected person which includes blood, urine, saliva, semen and indirect contact with environment contaminated with fluids. It does not spread through air.

Currently no drug or vaccine can cure this disease. So, it is very important to focus on reduce the risk of wildlife to human transmission and human to human transmission. The outbreak containment measures are safe burial of infected people,quarantine measures for 21 days, maintain clean environment and practice hygienic measures.

Sure, this outbreak will subside one day, though only after consuming many lives.  At the same time, when it reappears, the world will be ready with high tech weapons to fight it...hopefully...